Jamarr Robinson likely to be starting QB against Navy

Maryland Coach Ralph Friedgen said Monday during the second of the ACC's two football media days that he thinks redshirt junior quarterback Jamarr Robinson will be the Terrapins' starting quarterback when the team starts the season Sept. 6 against Navy.

Robinson started twice and played extensively in four games last season in place of an injured Chris Turner. He also saw limited action in three other contests during the 2009 campaign. Robinson completed 46 of 85 passes (54.1 percent) and threw for 459 yards, two touchdowns and no interceptions. Additionally, he rushed for 229 yards on 53 attempts.

"I've always appreciated athletic quarterbacks," Friedgen said. "They have a way, with their athleticism, of turning a bad play into a good play. I think we're going to try to do more of that with Jamarr. The biggest concern we have there is him staying healthy. Danny O'Brien, the backup quarterback, is a much better athlete than Chris Turner. He's probably the slowest of the three. (Redshirt freshman quarterback) C.J. Brown is a 4.5 kid, too. We're going to try to play to their strengths with what they can do."

Friedgen noted that "like every position, it's still going to be competitive," but he said Robinson's game experience gives him the early edge.

"The biggest concern I have with the other guys is just that they haven't had any playing time," Friedgen said. "I see them developing, and I'm not disappointed with them at all. I really would like to get them into some games so they would get some experience. I think that's the main quality that Jamarr has over them is he's had (four) games of experience, and I've really seen what that's done for his confidence and his leadership skills, and I think he's really benefited from playing last year. When Turner got hurt, it was a tough thing for us, but in the long run it may be a blessing."

Robinson may be the starter for Navy, but there's no way he will be the starter by the end of the year. Unless his decision making has improved, or Franklin has somehow dumbed-down the offense, Robinson will be over his head against most of the teams on the schedule. O'Brien give the Terps the best chance to improve over last season, and giving him as many reps as possible this year is the only way the Terps will make progress for next year.